Context No. 3258 of 4322 · 2 Kings

2 Kings 4:7-13: in context

7Then she came and told the man of God. He said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.” 8One day Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman; and she persuaded him to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread. 9She said to her husband, “See now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God who passes by us continually. 10Please, let’s make a little room on the roof. Let’s set a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp stand for him there. When he comes to us, he can stay there.” 11One day he came there, and he went to the room and lay there. 12He said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13He said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Behold, you have cared for us with all this care. What is to be done for you? Would you like to be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”

After Elisha helps a widow with a jar of oil, the story turns to a prominent woman of Shunem. Noticing that this holy man of God passes by regularly, she persuades her husband to build a small room on their roof, with a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so Elisha has a place to stay. When he offers to repay her by speaking for her to the king, she answers simply, I dwell among my own people.

Her hospitality is quiet and practical, given without being asked, expecting nothing in return. And when Elisha wants to use his influence at court to reward her, her reply is striking: I dwell among my own people. She did not give in order to get; she is content, wanting no advancement, simply glad to make room for the things of God. Her generosity has no angle. It is service offered for its own sake, and it asks for no payment, only the joy of having a holy man under her roof.

Do I offer hospitality and service for their own sake, content and expecting nothing in return, or do I quietly hope my generosity will be repaid?

Sources

2 Kings 4:10: "Let's make a little room on the roof... a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp stand for him."
2 Kings 4:13: "She answered, I dwell among my own people."
Hebrews 13:2: "Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels."